Opposition politicians have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the handling of a radiation leak at a nuclear test reactor.

Public confidence has been damaged by the incident at the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment in Dounreay, Caithness, according to shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker and shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran.

Dounreay nuclear power station in Scotland. Credit: PA

UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond revealed details of a small internal leak of radiation on Thursday as he announced that the nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard is to have its reactor refuelled at a cost of £120 million.

Mr Coaker and Ms Curran said there were "significant questions" about the handling of the incident, particularly the two-year delay in making it public.

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China's leadership said the country may invest in the controversial HS2 rail project and a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK.

Speaking after talks with David Cameron on the first day of the Prime Minister's visit to China, Premier Li Keqiang said the two sides had agreed to "push for breakthroughs" on nuclear power and high-speed rail.

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Foreign Secretary William Hague says core sanctions on Iran will remain in place. These include sanctions against the Iranian Central Bank, US trade restrictions, all UN Security Council sanctions and restricted access to its foreign assets.

Most importantly, the EU ban on Iran's crude oil will also remain in place. For Iran, this means loss of sales worth about $4 billion (£2.5 billion) per month.

William Hague is speaking in the House of Commons on the deal reached by the international community with Iran over its nuclear ambitions.

The Foreign Secretary has listed commitments made by Iran, saying these will prevent Iran from using its program to build nuclear weapons. In return some of the international sanctions will be suspended.

A deal struck after lengthy negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, commits Iran to curb its nuclear activities for six months in exchange for limited and gradual relief from some sanctions, including access to £2.5 billion ($4.2 billion) from oil sales.

Foreign Secretary William Hague will address MPs in the House of Commons today on the deal reached by the international community with Iran over its nuclear ambitions.

Foreign Secretary William Hague will address MPs in the House of Commons today Credit: PA Wire

A deal struck after lengthy negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, commits Iran to curb its nuclear activities for six months in exchange for limited and gradual relief from some sanctions, including access to £2.5 billion ($4.2 billion) from oil sales.

Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement "an historic mistake", but David Cameron hailed the deal as an "important first step".